It hurt me too. I dealt with it differently. Turned that pain into money until it became numb. That’s why I made it my business to do shit my way because, like he said, that shit hurt Maleek. He’s old enough to see what’s happening but too young to understand. I didn’t want him hating me or going down the wrong path due to my absence in his life, so I do the best I can with what I have to work with.
“I deal with the shit until I don’t have to no more.”
“I think when Leek gets older, he’s going to come stay with you.”
I rubbed my chin. “You think so?”
“Hell yeah because even through all this shit, bro still loves you. You’re his fuckin’ hero. You show up for him even through adversities.”
City got up, went in his pocket and counted off a few blue faces.
“Get bro right for me.”
I took it shaking my head because City loved throwing shit at Leek. He treated him like his own, and I appreciated that kind of love. With me being away from him a lot, it’s good to know that my people fucked with him. Growing up, I had community but after pops died, the community did too.
When all the shit happened with Ma banned me from the family, I worried if bro would be aiight growing up. Leek got a lotof love just off the strength of me. I didn’t want him growing up feeling like the world didn’t give a fuck about him. I never want to give him the opportunity to see what lonely felt like.
“Fuck he gon’ do with this? You know Ma gon’ get to asking questions.”
“Let her. She already knows she ain’t stopping shit. You can be sneaking all you wanna, nigga, but she know you ain’t far. It’s too many evidence– fresh as fuck, pockets lace. She know that managerial job ain’t putting that on his back.”
I took some off top and gave the rest of that shit back.
“He don’t need all this shit.”
He threw his hands up, backing away.
“Put it in the account.”
It’s either I took it, or his ass would stop by the crib and give it to Maleek himself. I didn’t want him getting caught up with the lifestyle of money. He knew I had it and made sure to give him whatever he wanted. I moved to not get him in trouble because if she cut off one, she’ll cut off the other.
We dapped up when he paused.
“Leek needs a role model. Damn sho ain’t me and it shouldn’t be the streets. Keep up with this boxing shit,” he preached.
After letting him out, I grabbed my bag to wash. It was times like these I needed a woman to come home to, along with a meal, ready to laugh with and lay up under after traveling.
“Damn,” I smirked after seeing the makeup stain she left.
Last night was solid. Eris got whatever the fuck she wanted out of me. I read people for a living, and I knew she had baggage. That’s why she wanted change for the night.
Shaking the thoughts of her, I went into the closet, pulling out Leek’s gifts and sat on the bed. It was a diamond encrusted chain with an infinity symbol.
I had to figure out how to fix this shit to keep my relationship with him.
After a shower, food and a nap, it was time to head to Maleek. Instead of taking the truck, I opted for the Demon 170. It’s one of his favorite cars. Riding with the windows down, I had some background noise on as I pushed through the streets.
I barely made it to stoplights before being stopped by people wanting to talk and congratulate me on the win. I couldn’t do all that callous shit right now, going to see Maleek was a time crunch. This shit always made me feel dumb– having to sneak and see somebody I shared the same blood and helped raised.
Leek was heading down from the bus stop when he spotted me. He coolly walked over to me. I reminisced about how he used to run to me when I got off the bus as a kid. A core memory I’d never get rid of. No matter how old he got, if he wanted to do that shit again, I’d let him.
He ran up, dapping me up.
“Big bro. You came through.”
“You know I ain’t missing ya day.” I released him, doing a lil play boxing.
He ducked it. He glanced back at the car wearing a huge smirk because he was too cool. “You brought out the Demon. You gotta let me drive it, bro.”
